Fest strikes chord with crowd

September Fest, which featured more than 30 entertainers on multiple stages, brought about 2,800 people to the Depot District during the weekend's events, said Connie Gibbons, director of the festival and Buddy Holly Center.

"I think it went really well for the time we had to plan it  it went really smoothly," she said. "There was great entertainment, and it was a decent turnout. It was very respectable."

Gibbons said the quality of music had a lot to do with the turnout and the positive feedback about the event.

"The people I've talked to have been real positive about the experience they had out here," Gibbons said. "I think it's been a pretty good weekend. We had a lot of visitors from out of state. They were real positive about what they experienced."

She said about 2,000 people attended Saturday's events.

The event wrapped up Sunday with two bands performing in the center's courtyard.

Gibbons said one of the highlights of the weekend for her was seeing musicians perform that she had not previously seen or heard. She said The Cactus Theater's show Saturday night featuring the Big Bopper Jr. also was a treat for her and festival attendees.

Lubbock resident Charlotte Shepard attended events all three days. She has attended similar events in the Depot District in the past.

"I thought this one was better, better than the ones in the past," Shepard said. "I thought it was just more enjoyable with local artists instead of big artists that didn't relate to West Texas. I enjoyed the Big Bopper Jr. He was real good."

Shepard said she looks forward to next year's events.

"I think this is great as a free event. ... It is a good thing," Shepard said. "I enjoyed it a lot."

Jeannie Scott, a Plainview resident who had never been to the Buddy Holly Center before Sunday, said she came in to see a friend perform in one of the bands.

"This is a nice place," Scott said. "The music is great. If they do it again next year, we'll get back."

It was the first year for September Fest, but Gibbons said she plans to have another one next year.

"And for us, it was the first time to put on an event like that," Gibbons said. "We're real pleased."

Gibbons said next year she would like to tie the festival in with the Buddy Holly symposium, which will be held Wednesday through Saturday at venues around Lubbock.

Sebastian Kitchen can be contacted at 766-8753 or skitchen@lubbockonline.com.